Nicosia could see rare snow midweek

A cold front continues to affect Cyprus, with temperature minimums in the mountains going into double digits below zero by midweek with a local meteorologist not ruling out snow in the capital.

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A low pressure system is affecting Cyprus on Tuesday, with cold and dense air associated with a front squeezing through after noon for a short time and skies becoming gradually cloudy, with strong winds and 100% chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms across the island.

Daytime highs will reach 15 degrees Celsius inland, around 16 in coastal areas, while it will be 3 high up in the mountains when frost conditions remain.

Evening skies will be cloudy with showers later letting up gradually. Winds will remain very strong in some areas while temperature lows will drop down to one (1) degree inland, around 3 in coastal areas and six below zero (-6) higher up where frost will continue.

Wednesday temperatures will drop noticeably and according to local meteorologist Eric Kitas from Kitasweather there will be a 70% chance of snowflakes or short-lived snow in Nicosia, a phenomenon not seen in the capital for many years.

Kitas also said he expected temperature minimums high up in the mountains to drop as far down as eleven degrees below zero (-11).

Mixed skies with sunshine and clouds are expected Thursday with very low chances of rain that will increase slightly on Friday, when temperatures will rise again, while weekend weather will be wet with temperatures dropping back down noticeably.

Snow is expected to fall high up in the mountains throughout the week, with the last measurement of the Troodos Square snow gauge showing 3.5 inches as recorded Tuesday morning at 5am.